The goal is for the team to move the ball to the
opponent's end zone and score more points than the other team.

How are points scored?

Points are scored with touchdowns (6 points),
the extra point after a touchdown (1 point), field goals (3 points)
and safeties (2 points).

How can a team move the ball to the other team's
end zone? And what is an end zone?

Each football field has two end zones, one at either
end of the 100 yard field. There are goal posts at the end zone.

The ball can be moved by throwing it (called passing)
or running it (called rushing).

What is a down and a first down?

When a team has the ball, they can move down the field
toward the opponent's end zone in 10-yard increments. They get four
"attempts" to move the ball ten yards. Each attempt is
called a "down." If they successfully move the ball ten
yards or more, it is called a First Down.

Why is a First Down so special?

It means the team can have four more attempts (downs)
to get another First Down. As long as they keep getting First Downs,
they stay in possession of the ball. They do not have to turn it over
to their opponent.

Who throws the ball?

The quarterback passes the ball. The person who
catches the ball is the "receiver." A "wide
receiver" is one position who is eligible to catch the ball.
When the ball is caught, the receiver tries to run toward the end
zone. He can run until he is tackled or forced out of bounds. The
point where this happens is called the new line of scrimmage and is
the starting point for the next play. If the ball has traveled ten
yards from the last line of scrimmage, a first down has occurred.

Who gives the ball to a runner?

The quarterback gives the ball to the person who
"rushes." This rusher is often called a running back.
(There are other backs, but that gets confusing and goes beyond the basics.)

The running back runs with the ball as far as he can,
toward the opponent's end zone, without getting tackled or running
out of bounds. Where he stops, the play has ended and it is the line
of scrimmage for the next play. If the runner achieved a first down,
the place where he stopped is the line of scrimmage for the next play.

What are all those really big guys doing?

They are blocking. Offensive blockers protect the
quarterback so he can pass or hand off the ball. They also protect
the runner, forming an alley that he can run through.

What is a sack?

The quarterback begins each play. Think of the joy the
other team feels if they block the play from being started! They can
do this by tackling the quarterback. To do this, their tacklers have
to break through the offensive line and get to the quarterback while
he still has the ball. Their tackle of the quarterback is called a sack.

What is offense?

Offense is the team in possession of the ball.

What is defense?

Defense is defending their end zone. In other words,
they are the team that does not have the ball.

What is an interception?

An interception occurs when the quarterback passes the
ball and it is caught by the other team, who then gains possession of
the ball.

Are offensive and defensive players all the same people?

No, when the ball changes teams, the offense of one
team goes off field and their defense comes in. The new team with the
ball sends in its defense and brings out its offense.

What is a touchdown?

A touchdown occurs when the ball is caught by a player
in the end zone, or run into the end zone by a player. Six points are scored.

Is there an extra point after a touchdown?

Yes, one extra point can be scored if the kicker can
kick the ball through the goal posts. Two points can be scored if the
offensive team runs or throws the ball (and it is caught) in the end zone.

Why are penalties so bad?

In football, the goal is to achieve yards toward the
end zone. Penalties punish teams by taking away yards that they
earned. Or, if the penalty is against the defense, the offensive team
can be rewarded with additional yards.

What is a Field Goal?

A Field Goal earns three points, and is scored when
the kicker kicks the ball through the goal posts. This is not in
conjunction with a touchdown. What happens is that, in many cases,
the team is close to the opponent's end zone but is having trouble
getting a first down. Rather than chance losing the ball to the team
(since they are having trouble getting a first down), they make a
field goal attempt. They may be 30, 40, or even more yards away from
the goal posts, but they hope the kicker can score.

Why do teams punt?

If a team is having trouble making a first down and
they are too far from the goal posts to kick a field goal, they punt
the ball toward the opponent's end zone. In essence, they are giving
possession to the opposing team, but they do not want the other team
to have good field position. By punting the ball, it makes the other
team travel further in their attempt to score a touchdown.

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